Occipital nerve block and botox.............

[hennersg]

Anyone had relief of migraine symptoms or chronic neck pain from either of these type of injections? My conditions include chronic neck pain and vestibular migraine.........

[lkr1959]

I had a Occipital neve block done just before Christmas, it wasn't awful I've had much worse ! The headaches were unchanged for a week or so, then it got better for a few days then worse, then better, altogether I've had half decent relief for 6 weeks , now they are creeping back to where they were. I can't have anymore until the end of March, and I honestly can't wait, any relief for any amount of time is worth it, and I was told that the next jab would likely give me longer relief. The migraines have reduced as I don't have so many everyday chronic headaches which trigger more migraines, I will discuss the botox with my Dr the next time I see him, it's worth a try, the constant pain is so life consuming. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[hennersg in reply to lkr1959]

Thanks for sharing- I will certainly discuss these options with my Neuro...........as you say, it's worth trying everything possible in the hope that something will work. Amitriptyline and Gabapentin combo are helping to reduce my vestibular migraine symptoms, but neck pain is now rearing it's head again. My neck pain seems to have clear postural triggers and Neuro thinks this irritates my brain stem and in turn triggers the migraine symptoms (mine are generally silent migraines with no head pain), altho he has not ruled out basilar artery migraine as a cause of the neck pain.........

[Frustated in reply to hennersg]

I had botox for my migraines in October and it took a while to be effective and had a second dose in Jan. I am also on nortiptyline 50mg at night. Migraines are much less in frequency, intensity, hardly any nausea and are controllable with the TENs machine and pain killers.

[hennersg in reply to Frustated]

I take Amitriptyline 50mg at night and low dose Gabapentin- issue is with my continuing neck pain- thanks for feedback about the botox, sounds like you are happy with it so far...............

[Frustated in reply to hennersg]

yes, so far so good, still not sure which treatment has finally helped, the meds, supplements or botox, but I wont question it but enjoy it while it lasts.

[hennersg in reply to Frustated]

Sounds like me, throwing everything I can think of at this condition.....which means it's hard to know what helped, but hey, as you say, enjoy it while it lasts...........

[Mizznells]

I have something similar definitely the neck pain I researched n it's a neck trauma, that I have with constant headache, muscle pain, stiff neck, naseous etc. I have done "trigger point injections" that gave me a huge relief n also deep tissue massages including taking muscle relaxers. Hope you feel better for more info go to justmizzheadache.com

[hennersg in reply to Mizznells]

Thank you for sharing, yes, those are my symptoms too- I will definately look into this with my Neuro.............I think the reason the Osteo has resisted any deep tissue work is that I also have diagnosed cervical stenosis as per MRI, altho Neuro does not think it is necessarily the cause of my pain.............

[Mizznells in reply to hennersg]

You are very welcome I know the feeling I haven't updated my blog cause of my pain but I will soon and try to stay away from a spinal tap, one neurologist was just sending me to do that without telling me the risks n I was referred to a new neurologist. Message me if you have any questions.

[hennersg in reply to Mizznells]

Will do, thank you

[Mizznells]

I've tried the nerve block but avoiding the botox-its pricy and unknown of a relief. I did do trigger point injections n it gave me a huge relief n I have your symptoms. I have a lot to share, you can go to justmizzheadache.com for more of what has helped me.

[hennersg in reply to Mizznells]

Nerve root block didn't work for me- but I don't think it was done correctly, as the Neuro did it on the opposite side to my pain! Did you have occipital nerve bock? Who did the trigger point injections for you? I will check out your link, thank you...........

[FiFi77 in reply to hennersg]

Yeah it won't work if he did it on the wrong side lol. I always have migraines on the left side, so my nerve blocks are injected in the greater nerve on the left. I would try again 😊

[hennersg in reply to FiFi77]

Thank you- I will see if I can try it again

[hennersg in reply to Mizznells]

By the way, I also have a vestibular migraine diagnosis, with a lot of balance issues (it is silent migraine, i.e. no head pain). Have you had any related issues with poor balance?

[Mizznells in reply to hennersg]

I do have poor balance, hmmm never heard of that before.

[hennersg in reply to Mizznells]

Sadly, it is not very high profile and as you can imagine, as VM often presents with no head pain, it can be difficult to get a diagnosis............

[Mizznells]

Interesting I will look into that as well, thank you

[hennersg in reply to Mizznells]

Facebook Group 'Vestibular Migraine Professional' is very informative......

[FiFi77]

Hi,

I have montly Nerve block injections in conjunction with botox. I also take Topiramate (200mg twice daily). I have had substantial relief from migraines since starting the nerve blocks 3 years, especially in conjunction with the botox. Prior to this my migraines lasted on average 7-10 days. Now I get cluster migraines however they usually only last 1-2 days around the time I am due for my next nerve block. I still have "bearable" almost daily headaches but I can live with that lol.

[hennersg in reply to FiFi77]

Thanks for sharing, that's very useful to know and I am pleased to hear you have found at least some relief............

[jackiesutton62]

HI sorry for my late response. I had 4 tries at occipital nerve blocks with no relief. My chronic migraine always starts in my neck and used to wake me after about 4 hrs sleep.

I had Botox in October and had no migraines for 11 days, nothing, it was amazing. I then stupidly let a physio touch my neck. Horrendous for 2 weeks but then back to clear. Have a few headaches but very few severe. No sickness, no need for bed most are now at the front of my head and if I take 3 soluble aspirin that wards them off. Still need a sumatriptan occasionally but nothing like the 12 or more I was taking each month.

In January I had my 2nd round of Botox still feel better than I have for years. It apparently stops nerve endings sending pain signals to the brain. I frankly don't care how it works after 36 years of chronic migraine lasting days and weeks sometimes, it's great.

Good luck Jackie xx

[hennersg]

That's great that you have some relief Jackie I have spoken to my Neuro and agreed that I will follow up my investigations with the Pain doctor. Altho I have a migraine related balance disorder, my neck pain appears to be posturally triggered. I have had one nerve root block for neck pain through a Neurosurgeon, but it was administered on the wrong side, so I will discuss my options with the pain doctor.....

[ashliejo84]

I'm on my 4th session of Botox now and my migraines have reduced from 25-30 per month to 15-18 per month and the average intensity has improved from a 8 or 9 to an average 6-7 . I'm still having a lot of attacks so so need a better solution as my medication is now upsetting my stomach with the aspirin and I'm having to take more medication for that. Nightmare

[Hidden in reply to ashliejo84]

Hi I am on 3rd Botox and still 4 weeks later no sign of slowing down.

Totally fed up, angry and etc.

My poor husband is so kind but realisation is setting in to, that this is it.

[hennersg in reply to ashliejo84]

I guess that's the issue with meds, that we have to weight up side effects against any perceived benefit......hope you find some relief and thanks for sharing.............

[hennersg in reply to ashliejo84]

It's certainly a struggle to get this condition under control.......thanks fro sharing

[Claudeminh]

Both worked for me so that was a win. I take the nerve block in between the botox if I get an unbreakable round of migraines and it helps.

[hennersg in reply to Claudeminh]

Thanks for sharing.........Do you know if either of these can be used for chronic neck pain too?

[Joanh66]

I had bìlateral occipital nerve blocks on friday. This is my second time. They work so well i would highly reccomend i also have had injection in my neck and upper and lower back. I know i will have long period pain free..

[vjlunsea]

I take Maxalt (generic rizatriptan) for my bad migraines but they usually start with the neck pain. My neck and top of shoulders is where I hold all the tension. My doctor advised me to put heat on back of neck for 30 min as soon as I get home. This helps along with 2 alleve in the morning. I was taking 4-6 x-tra strength Excedrin daily to save the rizatriptan. This has helped me.

Only problem with the rizatriptan is insurance only lets me get -4- per month which is ridiculous.

[vjlunsea]

Also my doctor prescribed a muscle relaxer which I take before bed to help me relax and sleep and it too has helped...........